How to describe what happened last week? A Galapagos sea-voyage of 100 people (including Sylvia Earle, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Glenn Close, Elizabeth Banks, Steve Case, Ted Waitt, Bill Joy, Jackson Browne, Damien Rice, Chevy Chase, Jean-Michel Cousteau and 30 of the world’s leading marine scientists) turned into an epic event that may have significant impact on global efforts to save our oceans. It happened because the individuals and organizations on board chose to abandon the obstacles that often engulf nonprofit work, and engage in a process of emergent collaboration that I, for one, found truly thrilling.

Eight separate initiatives were kickstarted, aided by $15m in commitments from the individuals on board. These included:

$1m to complete a package to protect the waters around Galapagos themselves

$1.1m to launch a plan to protect the 1m-square-mile Sargasso Sea and commitments to raise a further $2.5m to see the plan through to success

$350k to boost ocean exposure in schools

$3.25m to commence a campaign to end fishing subsidies

$10m to kickstart a new partnership to fund longer-term ocean projects

Not bad for four days’ work, especially as these commitments were not pre-planned. They emerged organically from the discussions on board in an untried process that worked better than anyone dared hope for.

In addition, we recorded more than 20 fabulous talks on ocean issues that are to be shared with the world on TED.com in the coming months, and which will end up being seen by literally millions of people.

So how did this come about? Here’s the story:

Sylvia Earle makes her TED Prize wish at TED2009.

It began with “one wish to change the world.” That’s the gift given to winners of the TED Prize. Last year, the iconic ocean explorer Sylvia Earle was a recipient of the prize and in her blockbuster acceptance speech at TED, she declared her wish “to ignite public support for a global network of Marine Protected Areas, hope spots large enough … to restore the blue heart of the planet.” The speech inspired hundreds of offers of support, including a $1m pledge from investor/philanthropist Addison Fischer.

In the following months, the TED Prize team, headed by Amy Novogratz, worked intensively with the most promising offers, and plans were drawn up to embark on a new global awareness campaign. The agency Razorfish, working for us pro bono, came up with superb branding — active, exciting and ambitious. Mission Blue was born. But to mark the launch we decided to do something bold to kickstart interest. With Addison’s underwriting, and the confirmed availability of a perfect ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions, the Mission Blue Voyage to the Galapagos was born. The vision was referred to internally as “TED-at-sea.” By bringing together leading marine scientists with philanthropists and with thoughtful celebrities interested in this issue, we thought we could at a minimum:

record memorable TED talks to boost understanding of — and passion for — the oceans

give a transformative experience to people in a position to act

raise money by charging passengers $20,000 to come

Three months before the scheduled departure date, things were not looking good. No famous names were signed up, and we had yet to sell our first ticket. In late January, in a conference call of interested parties, we had three options: postpone, cancel, or redouble our efforts. We decided to go for it. By the time TED2010 was held three weeks later, Chevy Chase and Jackson Browne had confirmed their interest, along with a few leading members of the TED community. And the speaker lineup was looking fantastic. We presented the trip as an epic voyage for those willing to engage in one of the biggest challenges to our future. By the end of TED, we knew our boat would be full.

But the question remained whether anything other than awareness-raising could be achieved.

Jackson Browne

A traditional solution to this problem might have been to decide on a goal — such as a petition or a specific marine protected area (MPA), or a funding request for the hosting foundation — and seek to rally everyone behind it. But in the past few years at TED, we’ve repeatedly been surprised and excited by the power of opening up involvement to a wider community. (Our TEDx program is the latest evidence of this, spawning 1,000 TED-like events in little more than a year.) So we decided to go for a different approach, and two weeks ahead of the trip, we invited all of our participants to consider influencing the outcome of the trip by becoming an “Idea champion.” This meant proposing an idea around which a group could form to plan specific action for the oceans.

Idea Champion Laurie Coots makes the case for oceans in education

We ended up with eight ambitious ideas, each with powerful strategic potential. They ranged from taking on creation of a specific new MPA, to launching a major education initiative for kids. On the first day of the trip, each champion presented their idea and sought recruits to join their team. Each idea won supporters, and groups ranging in size from 5-12 were formed.

The rules we gave to each group were simple but crucial to what was to follow:

don’t come up with a plan that someone else will have to implement

do come up with a plan that you and the other members of your group can implement with the resources you yourselves can raise

do come up with a further plan that your group could implement if it had additional funding

be audacious

(That final suggestion came from the tireless Richard Rockefeller, a catalytic presence on the trip.)

Chevy Chase.

The quality of these discussions was boosted by the fact that each of the idea champions had extensive experience of oceans work, and often had an organization in place already working on their chosen issue. So, for example, the Galapagos protection plan was led by Peter Knights of WildAid, which has been working successfully in Galápagos for many years. Plus there was a clear sense from everyone that given the shocking threats to the ocean, this could not be just a pleasure trip. The celebs played a key role here. For example, on the very first evening, Ed Norton argued passionately to me that it was critical we came away with something concrete for Galápagos itself. And from the stage, Chevy Chase interrupted his own hilarious monologue with an eloquent plea for action.

Eagle rays photographed by Wolcott Henry.

Inspired by spectacular talks from Sylvia Earle and the other oceanographers on board, and by direct exposure to the nature wonderland of the Galápagos, the group conversations quickly got serious, and the issue of funding became one of the keys. How would we administer these different initiatives? I hosted a breakfast of leading philanthropists on board to see if there was appetite for a central fund for this purpose, and the usual problems quickly emerged. What foundation would receive the funds? Who would decide exactly how the projects were administered? How could individuals be associated with the projects they were most passionate about? How would we sidestep rivalry for funding from the different organizations involved? And wouldn’t this just become yet another organization in an already crowded space?

These issues have the ability to suck the oxygen out of the room, and for a while it looked like we wouldn’t find a way to do much that was concrete.

Venezuelan business leader Ricardo Cisneros calls for a united voice on the oceans.

The key breakthrough was an act of generosity by Sylvia Earle. As mission leader, she could easily have insisted that all initiatives be organized through her new foundation http://mission-blue.org. Instead she agreed to a bold alternative. Let the support go directly to the organization leading each initiative. This massively multiplied the potential for action. By allowing the idea champions to work out their own plans with their groups, and then secure their support directly from individuals on board, real action plans snapped into place with astonishing speed. And it was done largely in a spirit of collaboration not competition. The participating organizations — including WildAid, Conservation International, Oceana, National Geographic, the Nature Conservancy, NRDC, IUCN — acted respectfully toward potential funders, and I overheard several celebrating each others’ successes. Hard to believe, but for some reason last week, that happened.

A group’s action plan wins audience appreciation.

On the final day, as the eight groups reported back on what their members had committed to actually do, I looked around the room as jaws dropped and eyes moistened. The process took about an hour, and it was one of the most exhilarating, most hopeful hours of my life. Real change signed up for in real time. People dreaming big and then acting to make those dreams possible.

Glenn Close applauds one of the action plans.

At the end of the hour, we gave everyone a blank sheet of paper and the chance to write down their own commitment for further action. Once again the words we received were awe-inspiring: promises to donate or raise, in aggregate, millions of dollars, offers of publicity, connection, creativity, advocacy and personal change.

In the next couple of weeks we will be outlining in more detail the actions and commitments that emerged. For now, I am still trying to make sense of it all. My instinct is that as the world gets more interconnected, we are on the verge of discovering new models for radical collaboration to take on the most challenging issues of our time. That is what we dreamed when the TED Prize was launched. Last week, it really seemed to be happening. Huge, heartfelt thanks to every one who helped make it so.

“Thousands have lived without love; none without water,” said Sylvia Earle as she stood on the TED stage five years ago, accepting the 2009 TED Prize. Wearing a blue blazer and an aura of resolve, Earle quoted this verse from poet W.H. Auden as she laid out a bold wish for the world: that we […]

On June 17, 2014, US president Obama pledged support to create 700,000 square miles of new Pacific Ocean “hope spots” — no-fish, no-drill zones to help the ocean recover. As Sylvia Earle asked in her 2009 TED Prize wish:

I wish that you would use all means at your disposal — films, expeditions, the web, new submarines — and campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas — hope spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet. How much? Some say 10 percent, some say 30 percent. You decide: how much of your heart do you want to protect?

Andy Sharplesscommented on Apr 15 2010

What a great summary, Chris. It was truly exciting to be a part of this journey. Thanks to everyone who made commitments to protect the oceans, whether with my organization (Oceana), or any of the other participating organizations. Mission Blue proved that together we can do way more than raise awareness — we can make in-the-water change happen.

Tim Raycommented on Apr 14 2010

when are people going to realize….that tourism to these island increases 10% every year and they are destroying the very islands they are gawking at…stay home…watch the BBC’s Wild Pacific…dorks

Peter Burgesscommented on Apr 14 2010

Dear Colleagues
Sorry to throw cold water on your enthusiasm … but the sad fact is that corporate profits, stockmarket prices and GDP growth are the only metrics that matter. The fact that corporate and societal behavior is heading towards the killing every living thing is not a part of any serial metrics. Listen to Bloomberg News for a little while and you will hear absolutely nothing about meaningful metrics that matter.

I know something of the world of water having been the CFO of an international shrimp fishing company … where I learned more than anything else a huge respect for the environment and the dynamics of fish populations and their environment. Later I was involved with the refit of Cousteau’s old Calypso … but knowledge and events are not enough. There has to be serial value metrics in order to enable paradigm shift in behavior. Change the way the game is scored … and you change the way the game is played!

Jennifer Clarkcommented on Apr 14 2010

Peter, all cold water comments must be accompanied by a suggested solution. Its the rule!

Joseph Ahdootcommented on Apr 15 2010

Peter,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Being an organization psychologist/consultant I have to deal with this same issue on a micro scale all the time. In fact, I so believe in the idea behind your comments that I am willing to work on creating some kind of movement toward popularizing more meaningful metrics (assuming that there isn’t some other group already working on this that I could simply join). Are you interested?

Chris Ke-Sihaicommented on Jul 2 2010

Joseph, I think what you’re saying is related to what many others (such as Jane McGonigal and Rory Sutherland) have said recently on TED.

As long as money is the prime metric, rather than a tool to be used in achieving goals which are measured in some other way, then we’re stuck with this mess. Someone needs to come up with a new ‘currency’ that is tradeable for money in order to keep shareholders and employees happy.

Any ideas?

Sergio Salehcommented on Apr 14 2010

Hi everyone,
I’m a broadcast designer and run a broadcast design studio called Lumbre.
This year, we have designed the hole package for the National Geograhic’s Earth Day 2010 Global campaign. The theme that NatGeo choosed this year is THE OCEANS and they have called it OCEAN10.

Don Levycommented on Apr 14 2010

Count me in in supporting the education component. And thank you to all the participants who lead by great example.

Thako Harriscommented on Apr 14 2010

Commence, Kickstart, Boost, Launch… These words inadvertently leave me feeling that significant change is still lurking just beyond the visible horizon. Is launching a plan equivalent to executed action? Are commitments for further fundraising producing actual results?

Wallace J Nicholscommented on Apr 14 2010

Thank you Sylvia, TED and everyone involved.

I don’t find celebrating each other’s successes and collaboration “hard to believe” at all…it’s the heart of the ocean revolution, and in Sylvia’s DNA.

Onward in audacity…

Gerald Grahamcommented on Apr 14 2010

Sounds exciting- particularly the $1 million commitment to Galapagos marine conservation. I had the privilege of visiting Galapagos in July 2008, and am slated to go back there to help them with their oil spill planning. However, everything seems to have been put on hold, seemingly owing to red tape. Even when they have the funds and terms of reference for a study, there seems to be lack of commitment. Meanwhile, another Jessica-type spill is bound to happen one of these days. And will they be any better prepared for the next big spill than they were ten years ago? That’s the big question. Meanwhile, I am preparing to serve as an advisor to First Nations and marine environmental groups on the EA of a supertanker project for British Columbia’s coast, what some call The Galapagos of the North. The press see this as the latest in a series of herculean coastal battles fought over the course of the past 2 decades, pitting conservationists against developers, especially over clear-cutting.

Hunter Dicksoncommented on Apr 13 2010

Evolution of the Heart, Mind and Soul. Evolutionary thinking involving the feelings that come up when exposed to great potential disaster; Our oceans, bold and vigorous, aging, dying and being reborn with the help of mankind, deciding, then acting on the decision.

This is happening with the speed of “enlightenment”. That enlightenment actually has a velocity, and that is of mankind including their heart in their intelligence. Within one year such a miracle took place. The ripples will be magnificent.
womenofintrigue.wordpress.com

Casson Rosenblattcommented on Apr 13 2010

Often we believe problems are so big that individuals can’t be a source for change. It is wonderful to hear how this voyage is the start of just the opposite for the ocean – a path from one person’s wish to many people’s commitment to the world’s participation.

Amy Novogratzcommented on Apr 13 2010

Four days perfectly summarized. An unbelievable moment for the TED Prize and a transformational trip for many. I am confident that through both the knowledge and feelings the attendees carried off the boat and the remarkable talks being released on TED.com, this trip will really change the way our oceans are treated. The voyage and campaign launch are just the beginning – there is a lot more work that needs to happen to truly fulfill Sylvia’s dream of saving the oceans. Learn more and get involved: http://www.tedprize.org/sylvia-earle/

Nathalie Molinacommented on Apr 13 2010

My ancestor is Antonio Gil, there is a statue of him on Baltra just outside the airport. He single-handedly dessimated multiple species on Isabela and other islands in the Galapagos. In college I worked with the Darwin institute and with various NGO’s looking to limit the amount of tourism to the islands, with little progress. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to read about this trip and these iniatives. A lot of the success here has to integrate locals and contribute to education and empowerment of locals to fight the fight and protect our precious resources.